The Family Of Darius Before Alexander (La Famiglia Di Dario Davanti Ad Alessandro) - Paolo Veronese - 16th Century Masterpiece

Veronese was commissioned in 1565 to make this painting by the Venetian Pisani family.   Alexander the Great, the Macedonian emperor, visits the distraught family of King Darius III of Persia, who he has defeated in battle of Issus. Darius’s mother Sisigambis mistakes Alexander’s friend Hephaestion, who wears plate armour and an orange cloak, for the victor. Alexander comforts Sisigambis, who calls on him to be merciful to Darius’s wife and children. Alexander insists that the family be treated as royalty and retain their finery.   Veronese’s interpretation is subtle and genteel. He arrays the figures elegantly across the surface, magnificently dressed in modern fashion, with the exception of Alexander who is clad in red and wears armour of classical derivation. Echoing contemporary buildings in Verona, the architectural backdrop is fashioned like a theatre set, while the low horizon recalls the experience of seeing a stage play from the front row.